Local Love X Apteka

My grandmother, Betty, pinches pierogis every Friday in the cellar of an old Church located in one of Pittsburgh's salt-of-the-earth towns, Ambridge. I've been consuming them my entire life. So, safe to say, my standards for Polish cuisine is pretty damn high.

My boyfriends brother, JM, is one of the most passionate people I know. He has this enthusiasm to him that is contagious. His descriptions of things are so detailed and vivid that he hooks you and reals you deep deep down the fishing pole.

When he wants you to try something, you'll try it.

So when he comes up to me, like six different times, and casually chats about "the best periogi i've ever had in my entire life, this place called Apteka, oh my god, I have been 3 times this week", well, you'll go try it.

I'm so happy I did.

I can't stop.

Grandma, I love your pierogis. I mean, I even dream about them - but I'm a vegan now, and that butter just ain't sittin' right.

Oh, and there's a new playa playa in town. Maybe not new - they opened in March of 2016, but each time I sit down at my table to eat, it's like I've found a golden new gem all over again.

If you live in Pittsburgh, do yourself a favor, and go. Apteka lives at 4606 Penn Avenue, in a humble brick building across from the cemetery. Take a couple shuffles inside, and you've been transformed from our gritty city to Eastern Europe.

Boczniaki z kapusta

WHAT TO EAT

This is so hard. How do I even begin? The menu is scribbled on a big scroll of paper hanging on the wall right as you walk in. The prices are super fair, so order away, my friends. Here's my usual: